With the flood waters receded and the sun shining, we are looking forward to a great summer of floating on the Salinas. The dam release schedule for 2023 is now available, and we are excited to see around 600cfs from July through September.
At this flow, it means trips like Bradley to San Ardo and San Ardo to San Lucas will be runnable all summer long.
We have already scouted or run this stretch of river in April. After the flooding, the river has changed a bit, and has braided several new channels. Make sure to keep an eye on the main flow of water, as there are many backwaters that can leave you stranded.
The access points in south county are in pretty good shape, with the exception of San Ardo. The Pancho Rico Creek flooded, meaning you have to park further up the road, and carry gear up to a quarter mile to the river through light silt.
We are looking forward to a great summer of floating, and hope to see you on the river!